Housework can enhance the memory of the elderly and better protect their bodies

Housework can enhance the memory of the elderly and better protect their bodies

Research results are independent of other types of regular sports activities

A study published in the open access journal "British Medical Journal" (BMJ open) found that doing housework is associated with older people’s sharper memory, attention span, and better leg strength, which can better prevent Fall down

The findings are independent of other regular recreational and workplace sports activities, as well as active commuting

Regular physical activity is conducive to maintaining the best physical and mental health

However, global monitoring data shows that in 2016, physical activity was far below the weekly recommended level, and there has been little change in 10 years.

Considering that housework involves physical activity and is an indicator of the ability to live independently, researchers want to explore whether doing housework in a wealthy country contributes to healthy aging and improves the physical and mental capabilities of the elderly

They randomly selected 489 adults, aged between 21 and 90, with fewer than 5 underlying diseases and no cognitive problems

Participants were divided into two age groups: 21-64 years old (249; average age 44 years), were classified as "younger"; 65-90 years old (240 people; average age 75 years), were classified as "younger" Older"

Walking (gait) speed and sitting-to-stand speed (indicating leg strength and falling risk) from a chair are used to assess physical ability

Participants were asked about the intensity and frequency of their regular housework and how many other types of sports activities they participated in

Light housework includes washing dishes, dusting, making beds, hanging out the washed clothes, ironing clothes, tidying the room and cooking

Only about one-third (36%; 90), and only about half (48%; 116) of the elderly reached the recommended sports quota through recreational sports activities alone

But nearly two thirds (61%, 152 young people; 66% (over 159)) achieved this goal entirely through housework

After adjusting other types of routine physical activities, the research results show that doing housework is related to more agile thinking ability and better physical ability

The cognitive scores of those who did a lot of light or heavy housework were 8% and 5% higher than those who did a small amount of housework, respectively

The intensity of housework is related to specific cognitive domains

Similarly, the sitting time and balance/coordination scores of the high-volume group were 8% and 23% faster than those of the low-volume group, respectively

The younger group received an average of 5 years more education than the older group
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The researchers explained that since education level is positively correlated with baseline mental agility and slower cognitive decline, this may explain the difference in the effects of housework observed in the two age groups
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They warned that this was an observational study, so the cause could not be determined, and added that the study relied on subjective reports on the level of physical activity, the amount and intensity of housework
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However, they pointed out that previous studies have shown that there is a link between aerobic exercise and improved cognitive function.
Therefore, they believe that more agile thinking related to housework may be produced through a similar mechanism
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They concluded: "These results collectively indicate that among elderly people living in the community, higher cognitive, physical, and sensorimotor functions associated with heavy housework may be associated with lower physical falls risk
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They added: “Incorporating physical activity into daily routines through housework (for example, housework), it is possible to achieve higher physical activity, which is positively correlated with functional health, especially among the elderly living in the community
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